SPRINGFIELD – Over the past 10 years, state government spending has grown 25 percent faster than taxpayer income, with many claiming the government is spending faster than Illinoisans can afford.

To combat this issue, State Senators Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park) is pushing a bipartisan proposal that would ensure Illinois' spending grows at a predictable rate that cannot be easily changed.

“Illinois needs to get its budget in order and that does not mean another tax increase,” Cullerton said. “Common sense dictates that you spend what you have. This bipartisan measure will help our state get on track toward responsible spending and force people to eliminate waste, fraud and abuse. We need to work together to restore fiscal stability for families across Illinois.”

Senate Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 21, sponsored by Cullerton, would cap growth in government spending at the rate of growth in Illinois’ economy, as measured by the average annual growth of per capita GDP over the preceding 10 years.

This plan would focus on smart growth that would allow government agencies to grow at a rate that taxpayers can afford. The legislation also includes a clause that allows for the General Assembly to override this spending cap in case of an emergency.

SPRINGFIELD- State Senator Tom Cullerton passed a measure to stop to bloated golden parachutes for failed state employees.

Senate Bill 3604 eliminates severance packages for employees that have been fired for misconduct and limits government-paid severance packages to an amount no greater than 20 weeks of compensation. Cullerton expects it to be heard by the full Senate this week.

Elected government officials are frequently advised to grant rich severances in an attempt to head off employment litigation, Cullerton said. By adopting the Government Severance Pay Act, state lawmakers can set a clean, clear path that will eliminate those decisions for elected officials. Similar policies are in place in other states, including Florida.

“Now is the time to get control of these huge buyouts and institute some best practices,” Cullerton said.

Cullerton has continued to call for tougher regulations to stop state universities and community colleges from buying out administrators that are under investigation or found guilty of mismanagement. This is another step in his quest to put an end to this wasteful practice.

“Our state cannot afford to waste a single penny, especially to help folks who treat taxpayers like their own personal piggy bank,” Cullerton said.

Three years after the initial outbreak of Legionnaire’s disease at the Illinois Veterans Home at Quincy, residents of that facility and others like it are still waiting for Gov. Bruce Rauner to be proactive in detecting and removing Legionella bacteria from state-run facilities.

State Senator Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park) has taken charge in the governor’s absence, advancing bipartisan legislative measures this week to improve water management and notification requirements at state facilities.

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